Yesterday we looked into six lower-level hitters who stand to gain value if things fall the right way at the trade deadline. Today, we turn our eyes to the pitching side of things as we explore five pitching duds with low roster rates around the league, who despite being of fantasy irrelevance right now, are about to gain plenty of value and deserve to be stashed ahead of the deadline.
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5 Trade Deadline Pitching Steals
Colin Holderman, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
With a reasonable 3.72 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP, the Pirates reliever has lived up to his name, recording 13 holds to go along with 1 save so far this year. In fact, he has pitched well enough to elevate himself to second-in-line behind All-Star closer David Bednar in Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
Crucially, with the immense value attached to Bednar’s exceptional 1.27 ERA, a deadline deal seeing the closer leave Pittsburgh seems very likely. That means Holderman is in prime position for a promotion, and with plenty of team control, he should remain on the roster and become the Bucs closer. Managers looking for a boost in saves should stash Holderman immediately before his roster rates surge after the trade deadline.
Cody Bradford, SP/RP, Texas Rangers
Of all of these selections, I am most excited by the potential steal that is Cody Bradford. At first glance, the hitherto unheard-of pitcher is unimpressive at best. A rookie, Bradford has bounced up and down from AAA so far this year. When in the majors, he has pitched to the tune of a 4.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 25 SO over the course of 26.2 IP (5 starts, 2 relief appearances).
However, a deeper look reveals that after a rocky first stint in Arlington, Bradford has an exceptional 2.7o mark with a O.96 WHIP over his last 5 (16.2 IP) appearances. Furthermore, in AAA, the pitcher has a stellar 1.82 ERA over 10 starts. Really, only the elite Rangers rotation in front of him has kept Bradford from starting big league games consistently. Nevertheless, he is pitching so well as of late that he has forced himself into the starting 5 by giving other guys rest.
With Texas buying, coupled with their strong organizational depth, Bradford’s grand success has put him on the Ranger’s trade block. If traded (probably for a high-leverage reliever), Bradford is likely heading to a team where he will have the opportunity to start every fifth day. Naturally, this would drastically increase his fantasy value. With that said, if Texas decides against trading him, it seems then that their logic would be to use him as a starter down the stretch anyway and have him replace someone like Andrew Heaney in the rotation. Thus, no matter what happens, the time is now to stash the LHP ahead of August 1st while his roster rates remain non-existent. After all, he is probably the biggest steal of any trade-deadline pitcher.
Bruce Bochy just said on 105.3 The Fan that we will be seeing more of Cody Bradford possibly even as a starter.
"You could see that happening real soon, to be honest, it does give those guys added rest" #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/Baaf84TDFt— Kane McCutchen (@Kane_McCutchen6) July 5, 2023
Michael Lorenzen, SP, Detroit Tigers
Despite being the Tigers’ sole representative and pity All-Star, Lorenzen’s roster rates remain low. This is fascinating because Lorenzen is one of the trade-deadline pitchers getting media attention. Regardless, due to his uninteresting 4.o3 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 66 SO to go along with 3 W so far this year through 15 starts, for most, Lorenzen does not quite move the needle.
However, with little doubt that a trade is in the cards, Lorenzen is a safe option to roster ahead of the deadline. That is because to go along with his serviceable ERA and WHIP, he will be under less pressure to go deeper into games with a stronger bullpen behind him, should be in position to acquire more Ws, and overall, likely will benefit from leaving the dismal Tigers. As such, even though he is leaving the pitching haven that is the AL Central, Lorenzen is a safer bet to take right now before the deadline.
Noah Syndergaard, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
For fantasy managers with enough of an iron gut to swallow Syndergaard’s 7.16 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, stashing Thor could be rewarding. That is because, with a strong farm system and promising rookies, LA has the depth to address their desperate need for starting pitching at the deadline. With the D-backs currently tied for first, that is a crucial priority of Andrew Friedman and co.
As such, a reality in which Syndergaard is the odd man out in a rejuvenated rotation seems likely right now. In that case, it would make sense for the Dodgers to flip Syndergaard for cheap to a team lacking their prospect depth that has an equal need for pitching, like the Blue Jays (who also pursued the RHP last year at the deadline) or the Giants for example.
Whether it comes in the form of a trade, a DFA or not at all, a Syndergaard trade has logic. For that reason, with his track record and the fact his sim game went well and he will rehab soon, stashing Syndergaard with the hope he benefits from a change of scenery might prove genius for the most enterprising of fantasy managers. In fact, Syndergaard might have the most upside value of all the available trade deadline pitchers this year.
Noah Syndergaard returns to #Dodgers Stadium mound for sim game pic.twitter.com/G9cpQ8JGRb
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 7, 2023
The Met’s AAA Rotation
With Syndergaard on our minds, let us discuss the disappointing Mets. While the Padres look like buyers despite being sub .500, the 42-48 Mets are seemingly positioned for a soft-sell. Of the Mets on the chopping block, the looming potential trades of Max Scherzer and Carlos Carrasco seem the most relevant for fantasy onlookers. That is because if Scherzer and Carrasco leave New York, it will open up the opportunity for the Met’s AAA starters.
Despite having Dylan Bundy (10.80 ERA) in the minor leagues, the best streaming options to watch from a fantasy perspective are Joey Lucchesi (3.59 AAA/4.43 MLB), Jose Butto (5.72 AAA/3.00 MLB), *rehabbing* Jose Quintana (4.60 AAA), and an encore with Tylor Megill (6.32 AAA/5.17 MLB). None of these options are particularly exciting, but considering the Mets will likely be decent down the stretch, each is worth keeping an eye on in leagues where pitching is scarce.
Looking for more trade deadline content? Check out the hitters’ version of this article!